Tips to Maximise Storage Space for Small Properties

If space is tight in a small home, there are many innovative ways to make the most of whatever room is available. From beds with built in storage, small hallway benches that double as storage spaces for shoes and boots that might otherwise take up floor space, and block furniture to maximise room around chairs and sofas, good space utilisation ideas are plentiful.

Ways of maximising space include:

Outdoor storage

Durable outdoor structures such as metal sheds of various sizes can act as long term storage for items not needed all year round or equipment that can be stored outdoors (such as bikes maybe previously taking up space in the hallway or kitchen utility).

Shelving

Perhaps sounds obvious, but the range and types of shelving means more ‘dead space’ can be put to good storage use, even in narrow areas such as smaller hallways. There are specific types of shelving that can fulfil certain uses such as, for example, storing footwear.

Other ways shelving can help is in ‘multi tasking’ units, sometimes used in lounges to house the television and home entertainment equipment and maybe even double up as a recessed work area.

Well designed kitchen shelving can make the most of space by being concealed when not in use; it acts like a cupboard so can be pulled out to access shelves containing items such as cutlery, utensils or certain foodstuffs.

For children’s rooms that need to adapt as the youngster gets older, adjustable shelving is a good move. As the items children store change as they age, the shelving can be adjusted for spacing and perhaps added to over time.

In the kitchen, multi use shelving can free up space; for example, varieties with hooks underneath for hanging mugs and utensils free up cupboard, drawer and work surface space.

Furniture doubling as storage

Beds with sections underneath for storage are a great way of making the most of space, and some now incorporate storage into the headboard area; a deeper structure providing space for items such as books.

Other storage furniture includes certain types of chair and sofa that have ‘hidden’ compartments. Storage ottomans are worth considering as they can house a fair amount of items, look good, are available in various finishes and materials, and double as a seat or somewhere to perch the coffee tray.

The same can be achieved with outdoor furniture with garden benches featuring compartments to store items.

Wall mounting

A good way to conserve space is to hang televisions – especially larger screens that take up a lot of space – and loudspeakers onto walls.

This releases more floor space, and a variation on this is to enclose the television in a wall mounted cabinet so it doesn’t dominate the space when not in use.

Inventive home working spaces

If a home is pressed for space and a home office or workspace is required, then this can present a challenge. Fortunately, there are various solutions available if a dedicated room isn’t possible.

A small alcove or part of a room can be turned into a pleasant-to-use home working area; shelving units and concertina-type folding doors maximise space and, when work is over, a sliding door can seal it off.

Being small, thinking big

Living in a smaller property doesn’t mean suffering through lack of space; a little thought and taking advantage of modern space saving furniture, inventive shelving and other innovations means saying goodbye to tripping over things.